Bounty hunters, also known as fugitive recovery or bond enforcement agents, track down people who didn't show up in court in exchange for a percentage of the individual’s bail. While this can be a lucrative pursuit, it's also quite dangerous. If you’re considering becoming a bounty hunter, you need to meet all of the necessary requirements and be able to secure work.

Consult your state laws. Regulations on bounty hunting vary by state, and many require special licensing and testing to work in the field. Call or visit the local police station, courthouse, or a bondsman to inquire about the proper licensure for your state.[1]

Most states require bond enforcement agents to be at least 18 years old. In some states, the legal age requirement is raised 21 due to weapons permits.

Since bounty hunters sometimes have to work across state lines, check the licensing requirements in neighboring states to ensure you meet them as well. Bounty hunting is illegal in some states, so make sure that you are following the law!

Be aware that most other countries consider bounty hunting illegal, so you will not be able to follow fugitives internationally.[2]

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Pass a background check. You need to pass a background check in order to become a bounty hunter. Depending on your employer and the state laws, there may be specific requirements for the background check. Consult your local law enforcement office for more information on background checks.[3]

Background checks look for information like previous criminal record, education, work history, and even social media use.

Employers who perform a background check might also be able to see information about your financial and medical history, depending on the type of background check that they run.

Secure a permit to carry firearms legally in your state. Many states require a license to carry a concealed weapon, which proves that you have the training and knowledge to use a gun. In most cases, this involves filling out an application, fingerprinting, and registering your gun and license with local law enforcement.[4]

Most licenses only cover one state and won’t allow for transportation of a handgun across state lines. If you’re planning to work in different states, be sure you have the proper license to carry in each state, and keep the license on you at all times.

Once you have a license to carry a concealed weapon, you will likely have to renew it every 3-5 years, depending on the laws in your state. Make sure you’re aware of the requirements and don’t allow your license to expire.

Get certified as a bounty hunter if your state requires it. Many states require certification or registration as a bounty hunter. Sometimes, this means attending training classes in law enforcement, and other times it just means passing a simple exam. Your state laws will clarify the process for certification, if there is one.[5]

If you have questions about the certification process, consult local law enforcement for more information and referrals to various training classes or exam preparation courses.

Bounty hunting is currently illegal in Oregon, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Illinois, but the law is subject to change every few years.

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Part 1 Quiz

If you're planning on working in multiple states, it's important to:

Get a commercial vehicle license for your car.

Try again! There's nothing to stop you from driving across state lines in your car, even if you are using it for your job. Still, if you regularly cross over state lines, there are certain things to keep in mind. Pick another answer!

Check each of the states' bounty hunting certification process.

That's right! Not all states have a bounty hunter certification process, but many do. Make sure that you're certified in the states you plan to work in, otherwise you could end up in trouble. Read on for another quiz question.

Register with the local police force.

Nope! There are certain steps you'll have to take to work in more than one state, but you don't need to be registered with the local or state police force. There’s a better option out there!

Sign in at the shooting range in the state.

Not quite! If you want to carry a weapon across state lines, you will need to have a license to carry in that state. Gun licenses last 3-5 years usually, so once you have it, you don't need to worry. Try again...

Network with bond enforcement agents. Finding a mentor in your field is the best way to learn the ropes and get your foot in the door. Look up local bounty hunters in your area, and ask them about riding along with them on a few jobs once you’ve secured all of your certifications.[6]

This is especially true if your state doesn't require certification or licensure. An experienced agent will tell you what you need to know about the field and be honest about their experience.

If you’ve never networked with professionals before, always be polite and patient. Start by calling or sending an email to let them know who you are, what you’d like to do, and how they can contact you.

For example, send an email to a local enforcement agent saying “My name is Jason, and I’m a recent graduate in the criminal justice field. I’m interested in working as a bond enforcement agent, and I’ve started the process for certification. Would you be available in the upcoming weeks to meet to discuss your job and the field in general? You can contact me at _____.”

Study criminal justice, psychology, or sociology (optional). While a college degree isn’t required for bond enforcement, classes in these fields will give you the abilities and skills necessary for the job. You’ll learn about law enforcement theory, investigation practices, and criminal behavior in general.[7]

It’s also a good idea to take self defense, karate, or jiujitsu classes to learn hand-to-hand combat and defense techniques.

If you have hands-on experience through your degree, you’re more likely to get work, even as a newcomer to the field. Make sure to keep track of your experience and education on your resume!

Purchase safety and law enforcement gear. Outfit yourself with items like handcuffs, taser, pepper spray, and protective gear, like vests. You can purchase these from catalogues, online retailers, or at some local police gear stores.[8]

Some states require you to wear clothing identifying you as a bounty hunter, like a uniform, especially when making arrests. This is to keep you safe and to communicate your legitimacy to onlookers.[9]

You will likely want to purchase a firearm to protect yourself in case of emergency situations. Be sure to check the laws in your state for purchasing and registering a firearm.

Purchase a reliable car with good gas mileage. When you’re starting out, you’ll might need to drive long distances across the state to find fugitives. Choose an inconspicuous, roomy, and reliable car, like a Toyota Prius, Subaru Forester, or Volkswagen Jetta. For larger SUVs, vans, and trucks, look at the Toyota Highlander, Kia Sedona or Chevrolet Silverado.[10]

Make sure the car is properly registered, insured, and inspected in your state. You don’t want to be pulled over and ticketed when you’re working as law enforcement!

Make connections with bail bondsmen who can act as “agents” for you. Bail bondsmen receive the notifications for court dates and upcoming bails, and will likely know the names of any local fugitives. Make connections with them by introducing yourself and just generally being friendly. Let them know that you’d like to be notified of available work.[11]

In some states, it’s required that bounty hunters only work with bondsmen, who act as their employers, to secure work. The bondsman is responsible of keeping track of the enforcement agents that they use and reporting agent names to the state.

Offer to do your first gig for free to gain experience, show that you're capable and true to your word, and prove that you can get the job done.

Secure and keep track of your clients. Contact bail bond agencies that you’ve made connections with and offer your services. As a bounty hunter, you are self-employed and like any self-employed professional, you’re in charge of marketing, keeping track of your earnings, and creating a professional network.[12]

If you get an assignment, get a copy of the "bail piece,” which indicates that the person is a fugitive, and a certified copy of the bond so that you can arrest the fugitive if you find them.

Work for a bounty hunter is sporadic, so be prepared to be notified of new cases at a moment’s notice, and act as if you’re always on call!

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Part 2 Quiz

Why should you wear clothing that identifies you as a bounty hunter?

So bond enforcement agents will take you seriously.

Not quite! If you're looking for a mentor in the field, approach a bond enforcement agent politely and professionally. If you explain your skills and your interest, they will take you seriously, no matter what you're wearing. Try another answer...

To show police officers that you are also in law enforcement.

Not exactly! While do you work for the good guys, there are still limitations on your power. It's important to keep your car and guns properly registered, inspected, insured, and licensed. Being on the right side of the law won't prevent you from getting a ticket or worse. Pick another answer!

So onlookers know you are a professional.

Correct! If you don't have anything to identify you, onlookers might not know you're the good guy! A simple indicator of your position, like a patch on your jacket, will help keep you safe and prove your legitimacy. Read on for another quiz question.

Bail bondsmen will know to call you.

Try again! You're an independent contractor now, which means you need to work for your connections and your job. Get to know your local bondsman and forge connections. That's how you get work -- not the uniform. Try another answer...

Utilize your investigative skills to research the individual. When you’re given a case, the first thing you need to do is find information about the fugitive. Search through databases of addresses, access and analyze phone records, look at registered license plate and Social Security numbers to figure out where the fugitive might be.[13]

You can also utilize social media to identify friends and family for interviewing, and learn information about the fugitive’s past. Some fugitives might even have information about their location made public on their social media posts.

Keep an eye out for people who have been betrayed by the fugitive and might be willing to give up information on them, like an ex-partner, drug dealer, or ex-friend.

Remain calm while speaking to and apprehending the fugitive. Some skips might be easier to negotiate with than others. Always try using reason and logic first before getting forceful or physical. Avoid physical confrontation and do your best to make them feel like they’re making the right decision by coming with you.

Make a move to arrest the fugitive when the time is right. Many bounty hunters show up in the middle of the night, or pose as a delivery person to trick the fugitive into coming in contact with them. When you find them, put handcuffs on the suspect and drive him or her to a jail in the county where he or she was originally arrested.[14]

Some states allow the enforcement agent to enter a home only if the people inside have consented, while others allow the bounty hunter to enter if they have reasonable cause to believe that the defendant is there. Check with your state laws before entering a dwelling.

Before making an arrest, be sure to have followed to proper channels for notifying law enforcement of the upcoming arrest. These rules vary by state, but most states require some form of advance notice when an enforcement agent plans to make an arrest.

Collect for your services promptly and professionally. Once the fugitive has been successfully apprehended, contact the bondsman to start the payment process. Make sure you have records of the arrest and any other required documents for proving that the job has been completed.

For tax purposes, keep track of your travel expenses while on the job. Since you will be self-employed, keep your receipts for gas, hotel stays, and food expenses while tracking a skip. You can sometimes use these as write-offs during tax season.

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Part 3 Quiz

After you have handcuffed the fugitive, you should bring them:

To the state where they are wanted.

Not necessarily! If you work across several state borders, you may find fugitives in neighboring states. You definitely don't want to be stuck in the car with a fugitive on the whole drive back home. Pick another answer!

To the county where they have skipped bail.

Try again! Chances are that they're pretty far from home by the time you're called in. It's not safe for you to drive very far with a fugitive in your car, so there's another protocol to follow. Guess again!

To the state police department.

Nope! While state police do have more jurisdiction power than local police, they don't need it! You've already done all the work and you don't want to have to drive all the way to the nearest state police station. There’s a better option out there!

To the county police department.

Correct! You want to get the fugitive off your hands as quickly as possible, so head to the nearest police department in the county where they were arrested. The official legal channels will process the case from there. Read on for another quiz question.

Community Q&A

There are two kinds of bounty hunters in Texas -- bounty hunters who apprehend fugitives who have jumped bail must be peace officers, commissioned security officers, or licensed private investigators. They are referred to as bail enforcement agents or fugitive recovery agents. Bounty hunters apprehending all other fugitives are freelance bounty hunters and should be recognized as Bounty Hunters only. Freelance bounty hunters in Texas can apprehend fugitives who have jumped bail but only as independent contractors working for a licensed private investigator who enters into a written contract with a bail bondsman.

How can I get started in this business? It sounds like a good idea to get into for me.

Community Answer

Start with the basics and decide exactly what it is you are want to be doing and where. Check out what competition already exists. Then, move on to deciding a business name. Save up money. Then follow the article's suggestions.

Tips

If you are inexperienced, you might have a hard time convincing an agency to let you pursue a fugitive on their behalf. Ideally, you should find a successful bounty hunter to be your mentor before you go alone.

If you want to become a bounty hunter, you’ll need to research the laws in your state to determine your eligibility. Since bounty hunters sometimes have to work across state lines, you should check the laws in your neighboring states as well. If you qualify, secure a permit to carry firearms in your state, and start networking with other bond enforcement agents. Ask them if you can ride along with them on a few jobs to start gaining experience and learn the basics of the business, and make connections with bail bondsmen who can notify you when work becomes available.